Method and apparatus for taking job applications

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for recruiting prospective job applicants by advertising the contact information for the hiring entity. The method includes providing a plurality of information tabs which delineate various methods of contacting a recruiter, to provide intermediate screening of applicants, or directly contacting the hiring entity. The apparatus includes the information tabs, and information tab dispenser, and a stanchion for supporting the dispenser in an easy-to-see location.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a job application dispensing device and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for locally relaying job application information, usually in retail business locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The normal course of business for taking job applications in a retail setting includes applying at the retail desk and taking a job application and filling it out on location and then returning it to the employee at that desk for consideration. However, there is presented a problem when people are not available to fill out an application, or when they're looking to take information for someone else instead of themselves to apply for the job, or when it causes problems at the desk by utilizing space, while retail customers are trying to make their purchases. Imagine for one moment that you go into a women's clothing retail store and there is a sign on the door saying that they are “Now Hiring”. Traditionally, the prospective employee would arrive at the retail desk, and ask for a job application. If there are no desks or work surfaces other than the retail desk for filling out the application, the prospective employee stands at the desk and fills out the application. This activity congests the retail desk for customers that want to purchase items from the store.

Another scenario is where a friend or family member of a prospective employee is shopping at a store and they notice that there is a “Now Hiring” sign posted, and they want information about the job application to be filled out. Consequently, they generally make a mental note to tell the prospective employee to return to the store and fill out a job application. In yet another scenario, a prospective employee may be shopping at a store where a “Now Hiring” sign is posted, but they do not have the time to fill out a job application.

All of these scenarios present a problem to which the present invention is directed. The problem is that the application needs to be filled out at the store and returned there for consideration.

Therefore, it would be desirable to be able to concisely and quickly get the information needed for filling out a job application at a remote location where it can be filled out and turned in for consideration, without any inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In attempting to alleviate the problems posed as described hereinabove, the present invention seeks to solve those problems by providing a job application tab dispenser and a method for recruitment at remote locations. The job application tab dispenser itself is designed to be located in a visible place within the store, and provides a small tab. These tabs are similar to the tabs with numbers on them in Secretary of State offices or at delicatessens, with a minimal amount of information including the phone number and possibly a website for filling out applications.

Further, the present invention provides a method for recruitment via the job application tabs that are picked up by prospective employees or their friends and family. The job application tab may include a phone number where the prospective employee can call and fill out an application over the phone with a recruitment company that is more savvy at answering questions about the job than the retail clerk that may be standing at the retail desk while the prospective employee would be filling out the job application. The recruitment company at the end of the telephone or on the website could give further details and much more information to the prospective employee about the job itself, without compromising the privacy required for such an application. Of course, it would be best to isolate the prospective employees from the currently working retail clerks in the event that replacement of those clerks was the objective.

Furthermore, the recruitment center which is at the end of the phone number or the website, can be taking applications for 24 hours a day, making it much more convenient for people that are working odd shifts or out of their homes.

Although the job application tab dispenser will be described by way of a specific configuration hereinbelow for specific embodiments having certain features, it must also be realized that minor modifications that do not require undo experimentation on the part of the practitioner are covered within the scope and breadth of this invention. Additional advantages and other novel features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows and in particular will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination or may be learned within the practice of the invention. Therefore, the invention is capable of many other different embodiments and its details are capable of modifications of various aspects which will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art all without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the rest of the description will be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the expected scope and various embodiments of the present invention, reference shall be made to the following detailed description, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like parts are given the same reference numerals, and wherein;

FIG. 1 shows a floor model embodiment made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the working portion of the job application tab dispenser;

FIG. 3 illustrates the tab dispenser itself as a side elevational view; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the graphics on the base of the floor dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, we are disclosing both a job application tab dispenser in addition to a method of doing business. The business method includes the recruitment of prospective employees by utilizing an information tab to connect the prospective employee with a recruitment officer, whether outside the hiring corporation or at a third-party recruitment company. In that regard, we will begin by disclosing the job application tab dispenser and then describe the method of doing business.

Looking first to FIG. 1, there is a job application tab dispenser generally denoted by the numeral 10, including an optional ad billboard 12 and a tab dispenser machine 14. This combination equipment may optionally be mounted on a floor stanchion 16 and steadied by a floor stand base 18. It must be realized, however, that countertop models would require a shorter stanchion, and wall mount units are also within the scope of this invention, not requiring any undue experimentation. The ad billboard 12 is adapted for gathering attention from prospective employees and friends any family of those prospective employees.

Looking next to FIG. 2, there is a closer perspective view of the job application ad billboard 20 and job application tab dispenser 24. Optional ad billboard 20 includes details about contacting a secondary location, whether it is a third-party recruitment company or a corporate office for the hiring entity. The preferred embodiment will include descriptions of applying by telephone or applying by website interactive application, and most preferably includes a 24-hours-a-day means for contacting the application center. The particular billboard 20 shown in FIG. 2 is designed to draw the attention of a prospective employee to take a job application information tab 26.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the information tab dispenser 24 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and more closely details how the tab dispenser 24 provides tabs 26 that include the information needed to contact the party to apply for the job. The information tab 26 may be of any design where each customer would want to have its own phone number, recruitment information, and logos and designs. Of course, any information tab configuration is envisioned within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the floor stand base 30 with floor stanchion 32 extending upwardly therefrom. Floor stand base 30 is yet one more opportunity to provide some advertising space, in case someone is merely looking at the floor and not up at the ad billboard, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Similar information may be included, although any form of advertisement, logo or design is within the scope of the present invention.

Further disclosed is a method of doing business, including utilizing a job information tab dispenser in order to provide information for contacting a third party for recruiting information about a prospective job. The present invention includes an embodiment wherein a phone number or website is accessible 24 hours a day, and the prospective employee is invited to contact either the corporation that is hiring directly, or a third-party recruitment company that is utilized and hired by the hiring corporation in order to take job applications, sift through applicants and otherwise provide normal recruitment services for a hiring corporation.

In a first embodiment of the present method of doing business, a perspective employee receives an information tab, whether directly or through family or friends, and may call an 800 number or other contact information phone numbers that are listed on the information tab itself. A telephone interview will ensue, where the name, address and other particulars from the job applicant will be taken. At that time, a more detailed job application may be mailed to the perspective employee, or the entire job application may be filled out over the phone. In the embodiment where a recruitment company is handling this information, the filled out job application will then be forwarded to the hiring company for consideration. Alternatively, the recruitment company may have also contracted with the hiring corporation to perform the actual job interview with the perspective employee.

In another embodiment of the present invention method of doing business, a website may be listed on the information tab which is dispensed by the machine, and the perspective employee may fill out an interactive job application on its website. The recruitment company which will download the filled-out job applications may contact the perspective employee, perform a physical job interview, or may otherwise sift through the applicants to provide the best qualified employees to the hiring corporation. If the corporation is sifting through the website applications itself, the necessary information required on the website for application must be verified and possibly reviewed for veracity.

Regardless of how the information is acquired, this new method of attracting attention of perspective employees is finding great success in the marketplace, and resolves many of the problems with filling out job applications at retail desks. This also allows an opportunity for a third-party recruitment company to be involved in order to lighten the load of the hiring corporation. It also provides greater privacy and greater accessibility to the information regarding such jobs.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings with regards to the specific embodiments. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A job application dispenser for advertising job opportunities use in local businesses, comprising: a plurality of tear off information tabs including contact information for a hiring entity for the purpose of the conductance of an interview, said contact information may be selected from the group consisting of telephonic contact information, internet website contact information, personal contact information, business contact information, and combinations thereof; a tab dispenser machine adapted for serially dispensing at least one of said tear off information tabs at a time, and wherein said information tabs include contact information needed for a prospective employee to contact a hiring entity; and a stand alone tab dispenser stanchion for supporting the tab dispenser machine; whereby said tab dispenser machine is capable of dispensing the plurality of tear off information tabs to prospective employees in locations where it is convenient for the prospective employees to gather the information in a time and place that is amenable to them.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein said tab dispenser machine includes a roll of many information tabs, each tab being printed with the same contact information.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a floor stand base into which the stanchion may be inserted.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the information tabs may be taken from the dispenser by any party that wishes to inform a prospective employee about the job opportunity, such that they may contact the hiring entity at a time and place that is convenient for them to apply for the job opportunity.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an optional billboard permanently attached to the information tab dispenser, wherein said billboard is adapted for drawing attention to the job opportunity being offered.
 6. A method of job applicant recruitment for advertising and attracting prospective job applicants to a hiring entity for a job opportunity, comprising: a step of printing a plurality of information tabs with contact information for a hiring entity for the purpose of conducting an interview, wherein said contact information may be selected from the group consisting of telephonic contact information, internet website contact information, personal contact information, business contact information, and combinations thereof; a step of arranging the plurality of information tabs into an information tab dispenser; locating the dispenser in a highly trafficked area, preferably in a retail business location housing the hiring entity; and receiving calls, website applications and meeting personally with prospective employees to conduct interviews to determine their suitability for a particular job opportunity.
 7. The method of job applicant recruitment of claim 6, further comprising a step of acting as a job recruiter, screening prospective employees on behalf of a hiring entity, such that unsuitable employees are not passed along to the hiring entity, thereby eliminating the waste of time that normally accompanies screening job applicants that are unsuitable to be a new employee of the hiring entity. 